Professionally accredited

Overview

The principal challenge facing the world’s growing population is how to maintain sustainable access to the natural resources – water, energy and food – that are necessary for us to enjoy a good quality of life, while protecting the environment.

The science and engineering behind understanding and solving this challenge lie at the heart of earth science, an interdisciplinary subject which encompasses physics, chemistry, mathematics and other sciences. It can be applied to the study of Earth to give us an understanding of how our planet works, from its internal core, crust and oceans, to the atmosphere and our solar system.

All our courses combine a strong traditional emphasis on observational and field skills with the numerical and analytical fundamental science required to understand Earth processes and systems quantitatively.

We also emphasise the development of transferable professional skills such as group working, problem-solving, drawing inferences from incomplete data, IT, and oral and written communication. You can expect a balance between theory and practice, including a variety of field trips in the UK and abroad.

Study programme

Geologists study the world through observation and draw conclusions based on an understanding of important scientific principles.

The modular nature of this course enables you to gain a solid understanding of geosciences while tailoring your study programme to suit your interests. As the course progresses, you will be able to choose modules from specialist areas such as: petrology, geochemistry, surface processes, volcanism, tectonics and geological mapping.

In your final year, you complete an independent field study and research project.

Field work

We place emphasis on field work across all our courses. It is a great way to apply your knowledge to the real world and learn essential observational and practical skills.

Our field trips are designed to help you gain experience of identifying rocks and interpreting the physical (including tectonic) processes that may have been involved in their formation.

Depending on which degree scheme you choose, you could spend over 100 days in the field. This can range from geological day trips in the UK to 10 days in the Pyrenees or Cyprus.

Students on Geology courses spend six weeks mapping the geology of areas such as the: Greek Cyclades, French Massif Central, Pyrenees, French Alps, North West Scotland, and others.

Students on Geophysics courses have the chance to gain experience in using technical equipment in the field.

Transfer between courses

All of our courses follow a very similar syllabus for the first two years. This high level of shared content means you may transfer between all our Geology and Geophysics courses up to the start of spring term in the first year if you meet the original entry requirements for the course you want to transfer to. As a result, you are encouraged to only apply for one course within the department.

Transfer onto our Year Abroad courses is not normally possible as places at our partner institutions are limited.

Transfer to the equivalent four-year MSci course is normally allowed up until the start of year three, as long as you are achieving at least a 2:1 degree standard at the end of your second year.

If you are an international student, transferring to a different course could have an impact on your Tier 4 visa. Please visit our International Student Support webpage for further information.

Structure

Please note that the curriculum of this course is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.

Year 1

Core modules

Deforming the Earth

Dynamic Earth and Planets

Geology in the Field

Life over Deep Time

Physical and Surface Processes

Programming for Geoscientists

Stratigraphy and Geomaterials

Volcanism and Internal Processes

Optional modules

Chemistry for Geoscientists or Low Temperature Geochemistry

Maths Methods 1 or Introductory Mathematics

Year 2

Core modules

High-temperature Geochemistry

Igneous and Metamorphic Geology

Maps and Structures

Palaeontology and Optical Petrology

Pure and Applied Geophysics

Remote Sensing Earth and Planets

Rocks and Structures in the Field

Sediments and Stratigraphy

Solar System Science

Year 3

Core modules

Independent Project

Integrated Advanced Field Geology

Optional modules

You choose eight optional modules; the below list is indicative of available subjects, and the modules are likely to include some of the following:

Advanced Programming

Advanced Remote Sensing

Astrobiology

Climate

Coastal Engineering

Collisions and Craters

Earth Systems

Environmental and Engineering Geology

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Seminars

Flow and Reactive Transport

Geodynamics

Geohazards

Geomorphology

Geophysical Inversion

Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow

Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow 2

Integrated Advanced Field Geology Continental Tectonics

Magmatic Processes and Products

Meteorites

Minerals Processing

Mining Waste and Water Management

Ore Deposits

Palaeo and Environmental Magnetism

Palaeobiology

Palaeoceanography

Physical Oceanography

Planetary Chemistry

Planetary Physics

Planetary Surfaces

Seismic Techniques

Tectonics of the Oceans

Business and Humanities

You will have the choice of modules from Imperial Horizons and the Business School to broaden your studies.

Imperial Horizons – offers a wide range of modules, including languages and humanities options, which are designed to broaden your education, inspire your creativity and enhance your professional impact

Download the programme specification‌ [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.

Professional accreditation

Achieving a professionally accredited degree demonstrates to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. It also brings international recognition of your qualification, which is particularly useful for students preparing for a career abroad.

As professionally accredited qualifications, our BSc courses in Earth Science reduce the number of years of post-graduation experience you need in order to register as a Chartered Geologist (CGeol). This is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in the geosciences industries, which can lead to higher earning potential and better career prospects.

The current accreditation agreement was awarded for students starting their studies in the 2017–18 academic year, and is renewed every six years.

Associateship

As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal School of Mines on completion of this course.

The Royal School of Mines is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Our Geology courses are both theoretical and practical, and teaching will be enhanced by fieldwork throughout your degree.

You can expect the following teaching methods:

Lectures

Tutorials

Field work

Group exercises

Laboratory work

Teaching, independent study and placement hours

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Lectures, seminars and similar

504 hours

544 hours

664 hours

Independent study

996 hours

956 hours

1,211 hours

Placement

–

–

–

Based on the typical pathway through the course

Assessment

There are a number of different assessment methods for this course including:

Written examination

Coursework

Reports

Poster presentation

Seminar

Vivas

Assessment types

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Coursework

25%

25%

39%

Practical

–

–

–

Written

75%

75%

61%

Based on the typical pathway through the course; percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number

Staff expertise

For each module you will have a designated coordinator, who will be normally be a teaching fellow or member of academic staff.

You receive tutorial time with post-doctoral research assistants/fellows, who will themselves be researching specialised areas of geology and geophysics, with a depth of subject knowledge and experience of study to share.

As you progress through your degree, the areas covered become specialised and more advanced, and you will increasingly be taught by experts in the fields concerned.

Compare this course

See how this course compares with similar courses at different institutions using the Unistats information below.

You can use the Unistats website to find out how this course compares in areas such as student satisfaction and what our graduates are doing six months after completing this course.

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.

For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).

We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.

A-levels

Minimum entry standards

Our minimum entry standard for 2019 entry is AAA overall, to include:

A, A in two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics

General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Typical offer range

As a guide, here are the typical offers made in 2017 to at least 85% of applicants studying A-levels:

Three A-level offer: AAA–A*AA

Practical endorsement (practical science assessment)

If you are made an offer you will be required to achieve a pass in the practical endorsement in all science subjects that form part of the offer.

The practical endorsement is part of the reformed English linear A-levels.

International Baccalaureate

Minimum entry standards

6, 6 in two of the following at higher level: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics or Physics

Typical offer range

As a guide, the typical offer made in 2017 to at least 85% of applicants studying IB was 38-39 pointsoverall.

Mathematics Higher Level for award in 2021

For entry in 2021, the Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.

Advanced Placements

The grades detailed below are the minimum requirements for students offering only Advanced Placements as their exams for entry to Imperial.

If you are studying a High School Diploma that is accepted by Imperial alongside Advanced Placements, requirements may apply to both your Diploma and Advanced Placements.

Please consult our country index to check whether we accept your High School Diploma programme for admission.

Our minimum requirement for this course three subjects from below at grade 5:

Calculus (AB or BC)

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Selection process

Assessing your application

Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant.

Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones. It is the College’s policy to not make offers below three A’s at A-level in relevant subjects, 38 IB points with at least a grade 6 at higher level in relevant subjects, or their equivalent.

A typical range of offers made by this Department in 2017 (encompassing at least 85% of applicants who studied A-level or IB) is shown above.

Post-application open day and interview

If your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements and you live within reasonable travelling distance of the College you will be invited for an interview.

You will be introduced to the Department, the staff, our courses, teaching facilities and methods and life at College through meeting our current students. You will have a one-to-one interview with a member of the academic staff. For overseas applicants, or those unable to visit, we may arrange a telephone interview.

We place great emphasis on interview and take other qualities as well as academic ability into account when deciding whether to make you an offer. We will also take the comments of the staff member who has met you or spoken to you by telephone into account, particularly when we decide after A-levels whether to confirm our offer should you marginally fail to meet the terms of your offer.

English language requirement (all applicants)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

Tuition fees and funding

We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.

Tuition fees (Home and EU students)

2019 entry

£9,250 per year

The UK government has confirmed that EU students entering the university in 2019 will continue to pay the Home rate of tuition for the duration of their course.

Please note that the fee you pay may increase annually by an amount linked to inflation and approved by Parliament under the Student Fees (Inflation Index) Regulations 2006 – currently the measure of inflation used is the RPIX.

Government funding

If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.

You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.

The UK government has confirmed that access to government funding will remain unchanged for EU students entering the university in 2019 throughout the duration of their course. This includes access to the Tuition Fee Loan for EU students who have resided in the European Economic Area for at least three years prior to study, and access to the Maintenance Loan for EU students have been resident in the UK for at least five years.

Tuition fees (Overseas and Islands students)

2019 entry

£30,250 per year

The tuition fees for Overseas and Islands students are set by Imperial College London.

You should expect and budget for your tuition fee increasing each year by an inflationary amount. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2019 will apply to fees for the academic year 2019–2020.

Additional course costs

This section outlines any additional costs relevant to this course, which are not included in your tuition fees. It is possible that all, or only some, of these will be relevant to you.

Please note that the figures provided are usually based on the cost in the most recent academic year. These are likely to change from year to year. However, it is useful for you to be aware of the types of things you may have to pay for and their approximate cost to help you budget for student life at Imperial.

This section indicates whether any additional costs that apply are mandatory or optional. Mandatory costs are those that you will need to pay to fully participate in and complete your studies. Optional costs are not essential to your studies so you will be free to opt out of these.

Summary

Description

Mandatory/optional

Guide to cost

Field trip (independent mapping project)

Mandatory for all Geology students

Variable

Field trips (travel and accommodation on other field trips)

Mandatory

Included in tuition fee

Field trips (all fully catered trips)

Mandatory

£25 per week

Geological equipment

Mandatory

£70 (refundable)

Personal Protective Equipment

Mandatory

Provided

Please review the information below for more information on the costs listed in the table.

Field trips

Please note that all field trips referenced on this page are included in the cost of tuition, except for a contribution to food costs on fully catered trips (currently approx. £25/week) and the Year 2 independent mapping project which Geology students undertake in a location of their choice. Costs vary by location.

Geological equipment

You can purchase or hire geological equipment from the Department. In the 2016-17 academic year students paid £70 for Compass-clinometer, Hand lens and Geological Hammer. If they wish, students can return these in reasonable condition at a point later in their degree programme when they are no longer needed for a refund of the same amount.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wearing personal protective equipment is compulsory for some activities on this course. Where this applies, the Department of Earth Science and Engineering will provide you with the necessary PPE free of charge.

Accommodation and living costs

Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.

Over 90 per cent of Imperial undergraduates choose to live in our halls of residence in their first year. You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.

A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.

Careers

Besides obtaining the core knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the earth science, graduates of the new programme will gain specialist understanding and practical skills in geological, geochemical and geophysical aspects of planetary science.

This bespoke training will ensure that you are well placed to pursue a research careers in planetary science, and will have gained the breadth of knowledge required to undertake a broad range of space‐related employment.

Our three-year BSc degrees are excellent preparation for careers in geosciences and other professions, especially if followed by a relevant MSc and a research degree.

Our four-year MSci degrees provide a deeper understanding of the subject and the chance to undertake a significant research project.

Many of our graduates go onto further study either by doing focused MSc degrees or undertaking research on a PhD programme.

Other recent graduates of the Department have become:

Geologist, CD Capital / Prairie Mining

Geosolutions Geophysicist, Schlumberger

Research Assistant, Natural History Museum

The growing importance of earth science in tackling some of the world’s most significant challenges means that the job prospects for our graduates have never been better.

Our three-year BSc degrees are excellent preparation for careers in geosciences and other professions, especially if followed by a relevant MSc and a research degree. Our four-year MSci degrees provide a deeper understanding of the subject and the chance to undertake a significant research project.

Order a prospectus

Further information

Living in London

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